Top 25 Visual Effects (VFX) Schools and Colleges in the U.S. - 2023 Rankings

The VFX Program at Gnomon prepares students for immediate employment in the entertainment industry. For students seeking careers in Visual Effects (VFX), Gnomon has a Digital Production BFA Program with a VFX Concentration. Program benefits include small class sizes of approximately 14 students; a studio-environment consisting of a 35,000 square foot lot within the historic Television Center Studio lot; and instructors who are working professionals in the VFX, Games, and Animation industries.

The Digital Production BFA with a VFX Concentration consists of 180 total units, with 135 within the field of career-focused study and 45 in general education. Within the program’s 135 career-focused units are 30 units of concentration-specific courses. Examples include Principles of VFX, Liquid Simulations, Virtual Production, VFX Design, Motion Capture, Dynamic Effects 1-4, and VFX for Games.

The Digital Production BFA at Gnomon can be completed in 12 terms over three to four years. The program culminates with the creation of a professional demo reel that showcases the students best work.

For students seeking a shorter path, Gnomon has a Digital Production Certificate consisting of eight terms completed over two years. This option has a Visual Effects Animation Emphasis Area. Course examples include Animation and Visual Effects 1-2, Dynamic Effects 1-4, and HD Digital Filmmaking for Visual Effects. Certificate students will graduate with a demo reel of their best work.

All Gnomon students receive training in industry software such as After Effects, Houdini, Nuke, V-Ray, Photoshop, ZBrush, and Maya.

With a 98% placement rate, Gnomon has 900+ industry-employed graduates to date. Alumni are VFX Artists, Gameplay Animators, Character Artists, Cinematics Animators, and Environment Artists, at some of the world’s top studios. Examples include Walt Disney Animation Studios, DreamWorks, Industrial Light & Magic (ILM), Nickelodeon, Netflix, Fox, Paramount, Framestore, and Sony Pictures Animation. Graduates are

Located in Hollywood, California, Gnomon has been dubbed the “MIT of Visual Effects” by Fast Company Magazine. Established in 1997 and serving more than 550 students, the school provides degree and vocational certificate programs, as well as 100+ individual 10-week course options. Gnomon is accredited by the Accrediting Commission of Career Schools and Colleges (ACCSC).

University of California (USC) houses the School of Cinematic Arts (SCA), home to the John C. Hench Division of Animation + Digital Arts (Hench DADA). This competitive Division is multidisciplinary, allowing students to focus their studies in areas from Visual Effects (VFX) and Character Animation to Motion Graphics and Visual Storytelling. Hench DADA students also have the unique opportunity to collaborate on projects with students in the Interactive Games Division, Thorton School of Music, the Production (Live Action) Division, and Kaufman School of Dance.

Specific program options for students interested in VFX include the Hench DADA Animation + Digital Arts BFA with a Concentration in Visual Effects and the SCA Game Art BFA with a Concentration in Visual Effects. Course examples across programs include Visual Effects, The World of Visual Effects, Digital Effects Animation, Live Action Integration with Visual Effects, 3D Modeling, Animation, and Visual Effects, Programming in Python, Digital Lighting and Rendering, Organic Modeling for Animation, and Production.

Students in any SCA Program (from Producing to Film & Television Production) may add the 3D Animation Minor, which provides the opportunity to focus in Visual Effects, Virtual Reality, or Motion Capture. The Minor consists of 16 units, with course options such as Visual Effects, Live Action Integration with Visual Effects, and The World of Visual Effects. Students in all programs will complete a final project.

Graduates of the VFX Programs at the University of Southern California work for studios such as Industrial Light & Magic (ILM), Pixar, Digital Domain, DreamWorks Animation, Illumination, Nickelodeon Animation, and Sony Pictures. Many USC alumni have gone on to launch their own studios and freelance businesses.

Established in 1880, University of Southern California is the oldest private research university in California. The school employs approximately 28,120 faculty and staff that serve 49,000 students, making USC the largest private sector employer in the City of Los Angeles. University of Southern California provides 600 graduate and professional programs across 23 schools, academic divisions, and research institutes. Programs are offered in the areas of business, law, engineering, film, occupational therapy, pharmacy, and medicine. University of Southern California is accredited by the WASC Senior College and University Commission (WSCUC).

The School of Animation & Visual Effects at Academy of Art University (Academy of Art) is a STEM Certified School that is the only Animation & VFX school that teaches in a studio production environment known as Studio X. This collaborative, in-house, student-run production studio has real-world clients, allowing students to obtain credits before they graduate. Studio X students have been credited on films such as Beasts of the Southern Wild, Fruitvale Station, and many others.

Academy of Art University has four programs for students seeking a career in VFX. Options include the AA, BFA, MA, and MFA in Animation & Visual Effects (VFX). Academy of Art also has an Animation and VFX Certificate Program that allows students to skip the Liberal Arts coursework and dive right into Animation and VFX.

Course examples across programs include Producing for Animation & Visual Effects 1, Cinematics for Animation & VFX, Physics for Artists: Light, Sound, and Motion, History & Technology of VFX and Computer Animation, Storyboarding, Principles, Visual Effects for Animation, 3D Character Animation 3, Lip Sync & Facial Performances, Fundamentals of Lookdev & Lighting, 3D Animation Physics and Mechanics, 3D Modeling & Animation 1 (Maya), and Careers in Animation & VFX.

Across programs, students have opportunities to complete an internship, study abroad experiences, and a professional demo reel and/or portfolio. Graduates of the School of Animation & Visual Effects at Academy of Art University are prepared for careers in the Entertainment industry.

Program alumni have been hired at major companies and studios such as Industrial Light & Magic (ILM), Google, Sony Pictures Imageworks, Weta FX, Walt Disney Animation Studios, Sony Pictures Animation, Riot Games, LAIKA, Marvel, and CASA VFX.  

Academy of Art University is a family-owned private university located in San Francisco—one of the world’s top cities for animation careers. Established in 1929 and serving more than 7,000 students, Academy of Art is of the nation’s largest private art and design schools. Divided into 22 schools, Academy of Art University offers more than 129 degree programs in 40+ areas of study. Programs lead to the AA, BA, BFA, BS, B. Arch, MAT, MA, MFA and M. Arch degrees.

The Academy is accredited by the WASC Senior College and University Commission (WSCUC).

The Entertainment Design Program at ArtCenter College of Design (ArtCenter) allows students to customize their coursework in an area of their choosing. This includes Visual Effects (VFX), Feature Animation, Video Games, and more. Leading to a BS, the Program, also has a number of established Tracks that are suitable for students who would like to launch a career in VFX. Examples include Concept Design, Animation, and Game Design.

Students in all Tracks and self-designed Specializations have access to VFX courses such as Character Design, Concept Design 1 & 2, Worldbuilding, Entertainment Design 1 &2, How Things Work, Light and Color, Visual Structure, Rendering and Lighting, Production Design, Film, and Light and Color. Students will also complete Portfolio/Senior Project 1 & 2, and the 8th Term Portfolio Review.

ArtCenter College of Design graduates are prepared to pursue positions in all areas of Film and Entertainment. ArtCenter alumni have been hired at top companies and studios such as Apple, DreamWorks, Blizzard Entertainment, Microsoft, Marvel, Paramount, Walt Disney Imagineering, Google, Riot Games, Amazon, The WB, Netflix, and Mattel.

ArtCenter College of Design serves approximately 2,320 students from more than 50 countries. Founded in 1930, ArtCenter has campuses in Pasadena and Los Angeles, California, and satellite studios in Petersen Automotive Museum (Miracle Mile, Los Angeles) and Berlin, Germany. ArtCenter offers 11 undergraduate programs, seven graduate degree programs leading to an MFA or MS, a joint MS/MBA program, and undergraduate minors for Business, Creative Writing, and Social Innovation students.

ArtCenter College of Design is fully accredited by the WASC Senior College and University Commission (WSCUC) and the National Association of Schools of Art and Design (NASAD).

The School of Film and Animation at Rochester Institute of Technology (RIT) is a Designated Center of Excellence (COE) by Toon Boom Animation. Housed in the College of Art and Design, the School has a  program that explores Animating for Digital and Visual Effects; Games; Augmented and Virtual Reality (AR/VR), and Films. Leading to a Film and Animation BFA, this multidisciplinary Program consists of courses such as Digital Effects & Compositing, Particles & Dynamics, After Effects for Animators, World Building Workshop, Virtual Production I-II (explores real-time visual effects), Film Sound Theory: Effects, Production, Computers and Imaging Technology, Production Process, and Building the 3D Characters.

Other Program features include a variety of internship opportunities at local and regional studios and companies; cooperative education (co-op) in the College of Art and Design, which provides hands-on experience in a professional environment; and Study Away: LA, which allows students to spend a semester in Los Angeles, where they can intern at top studios and entertainment companies, and take two courses to complement the experience.

Film and Animation students at Rochester Institute of Technology also have access to the 52,000 square foot MAGIC Spell Studios, along with labs and classrooms outfitted with industry standard technology and software. At all levels, students may participate in the RIT’s Creative Industry Day, where they have the opportunity to interact with representatives of studios, design firms, and other creative companies.

Graduates of the Film and Animation Program at Rochester Institute of Technology are prepared to pursue positions such as VFX Artist, Effects Animator, Director, Visual Effects Supervisor, 3D Modeling and Character Designer, and Production Manager. RIT alumni have been hired at major studios such as Disney, Industrial Light & Magic (ILM), Sony, DreamWorks, Lucasfilm, Electronic Arts (EA), Dolby, and Nickelodeon.

Rochester Institute of Technology is a top research university that dates back to 1829. With global campuses in China, Croatia, Dubai, and Kosovo and serving more than 19,000 students from 50 states and over 100 nations, RIT is also one of the largest private universities in the U.S. Students at RIT have access to more than 200 academic programs across 11 colleges and institutes. Rochester Institute of Technology is accredited by the Middle States Commission on Higher Education (MSCHE).

The School of Theater, Flim and Television at University of California Los Angeles (UCLA) houses the Department of Film, Television and Digital Media (FTVDM), which has an undergraduate Film Program that features Visual Effects (VFX) and Special Effects coursework. Leading to a BA, the Program covers three distinct areas: Production (film, television, digital, experimental, and animation); Film and Television craft (writing, directing, photography, sound recording, and editing); and Cinema and Media Studies (history, theory, and aesthetics). Students interested in VFX may Concentrate in Editing and Postproduction during their senior year.

Courses options include Digital Cinematography (explores special effects), Art and Technique of Filmmaking, Motion Picture Lighting, Film Editing, Computer Animation for Film and Video, Art and Practice of Motion Picture Producing, Advanced Film Editing, Digital Audio Postproduction, Experimental Film, and Film and Television Laboratory.

The School of Theater, Film & Television at UCLA has more than a dozen initiatives that students may participate in including Special Effects for Film and Television, Interactive Television, Computer Animation and Video Gaming, Computer Assisted Theater Design, and the Development of Web-Based Media Arts. FTVDM students also have access to the state-of-the-art Walter Lantz Digital Animation Studio and other production facilities.

Graduates of the FTVDM Department at UCLA are prepared for careers in all areas of Film, Television, and Entertainment. UCLA alumni have been hired at major studios such as Walt Disney Imagineering, Nickelodeon, Pixar, and DreamWorks. 

University of California Los Angeles has played a pivotal role in the formation of nearly 200 startup companies to date. Established in 1919, the school serves 45,900 students enrolled in more than 250 programs across 12 professional schools and UCLA College. UCLA students hail from more than 118  countries around the world. University of California Los Angeles is accredited by WASC Senior College and University Commission (WSCUC).

Otis College of Art and Design (OTIS) has nine BFA Programs that allow students to expand and customize the curriculum through one of 17 Minor options. BFA students may also add a Certificate to enhance any undergraduate program. An ideal choice is the Motion Graphics Certificate, which focuses on Visual Effects (VFX), Film Editing, Animation, and Digital Skills. Students will master software such as Adobe Premiere, After Effects, and Cinema 4D, and develop skills in Music and Sound Editing, Digital Storytelling, and Background and Character Development.

The OTIS Motion Graphics Certificate Program culminates with a professional-quality portfolio of the students best VFX or other works. Students can complete the Program in 18-24 months. 

In addition to the Certificate Program, OTIS has a Digital Media Minor that explores both traditional and digital skills related to VFX, Animation, Motion Graphics, Film, Video Games, and more. Course examples include Motion Design, Game Design, 3D for Storytellers, Animation, and Storytelling for Digital Artists.

Specific OTIS BFA Programs for students interested in VFX include Game & Entertainment Design and an Animation. Across Programs, students will take VFX-related courses such as Motion Graphics I-II and 2D and 3D Computer Animation. Students will also master industry-standard software such as Maya, Houdini, Unreal Engine, Nuke, Cinema 4D, and After Effects.

Across programs, students will begin their studies with the immersive OTIS Foundation Program. During this one-year requirements, students will take studio courses across both the Visual Arts and Design disciplines. Course examples include Connections Through Color and Design, Form and Space, Creative Practices, Drawing and Building Form, and Creative Practices I-II.

Graduates of the BFA, Certificate, and Minor Programs at Otis College of Art and Design are prepared for careers such as VFX Artist, Effects Animator, Unreal Engine Artist, Real-Time Development Artist, Unreal Engine Animator, Character Animator, 2D/3D CG Artist, Cinematic Animator, Rotoscope Artist, Match Mover, Modeler, Background Artist, Animatic Designer or Producer, Storyboard Artist, and Animator.

Program alumni have been hired for VFX positions at Industrial Light & Magic (ILM), Sony Pictures Imageworks, Mattel, New Deal Studios, and Hydraulx. Other OTIS BFA graduates have been recruited by Apple, Disney, Pixar Animation Studios, DreamWorks Animation, Nickelodeon, Digital Domain, Weta FX, Mattel, Blizzard Entertainment, LucasArts, Nike, Electronic Arts (EA), Cartoon Network, and Netflix.

Established in 1918, Otis College of Art and Design is Los Angeles’ oldest professional school of the arts. This private, non-profit college serves more than 1,200 students enrolled in 11 BFA and MFA degree programs in the Fine Arts, Graphic Design, Public Practice, and Writing. A variety of minors and certificate programs are also available. Programs and courses at OTIS are led by more than 430 professors—all active professionals in their respective fields.

Otis College of Art and Design is accredited by the WASC Senior College and University Commission (WSCUC) and the National Association of Schools of Art and Design (NASAD).OTIS is also a member of the Association of Independent Colleges of Art and Design (AICAD) and the Partnership for Academic Leadership on Sustainability (PALS).

The College of Arts and Humanities at University of Central Florida (UCF) houses the School of Visual Arts & Design (SVAD). Within the School is a specialized graduate program for students seeking employment at studios and artists looking to make their own independent films. This three-year, 60 credit hour Program leads to an Emerging Media MFA with an Animation & Visual Effects Track.

Program features include labs and studios equipped with the same industry-standard software used in professional studios around the world; courses and projects led by professors with experience and connections in the industry; and the opportunity to co-direct a team of Emerging Media: Character Animation (BFA) students.

Course examples for the SVAD UCF Emerging Media MFA Program include Visual Effects for Animation and Live Action, Directing for Animation and Visual Effects, Script and Story Development for Animation and Visual Effects, Animation and Visual Effects Production I-IV, Visual Development for Animation and Visual Effects, Editing for Animation and Visual Effects, Technical Problem Solving for Animation and Visual Effects, Media and Music for Animation and Visual Effects, The History of Animation and Visual Effects, and Guerilla Marketing and Models of Distribution.

The Emerging Media MFA Program culminates with the 12 credit hour Visual Effects or Animation Thesis. This final film project allows students to display their visual storytelling skills while using VFX and Animation techniques such as stop-motion, 3D computer animation, and more.

Graduates of the Emerging Media MFA Program at University of Central Florida have been hired by a variety of organizations and studios such as Nickelodeon Animation, Blur Studio, Epic Games, Electronic Arts (EA), Pixar, Riot Games, Blizzard Entertainment, Walt Disney Animation Studios, NASA, Weta FX, Framestore, Lightbox, Titmouse, Lockheed Martin, Netflix, DiSTI, Reel FX, and the U.S. Navy.

University of Central Florida opened in 1968 as Florida Technological University. On the first day of classes, the school had less than 2,000 students. Today, UCF serves around 70,400 students, making it the largest university by enrollment in the state of Florida, and one of the nation’s largest universities. The school provides 240 bachelor’s degrees, 214 master’s degrees, and 81 doctorate degrees across 13 colleges. University of Central Florida is accredited by the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges (SACSCOC).

University of Utah (The U) has several paths to study Visual Effects (VFX) in the College of Fine Arts and Kahlert School of Computing. The College of Fine Arts houses the Department of Film & Media Arts (F&MAD), which allows students to tailor their BA degree across multiple areas of interest. This includes Special and Visual Effects (VFX). The School of Computing and the Department of Film & Media Arts  launched the Entertainment Arts & Engineering (EAE) Program more than a decade ago. This Program has a Computer Science BS with an EAE Emphasis and a Master of EAE (MEAE). Both allow students to study VFX. 

In addtion to the opportunity to customize the curriculum, students in the F&MAD BA Program may choose from four Emphasis Areas. Each area has a wide selection of VFX-related coursework. Emphasis options include Entertainment Arts and Engineering, Media Arts Production (MAP), Animation, and Film Production.

Course examples across Emphasis Areas include Digital Effects and Compositing for the Screen, 3D Computer Animation, Digital Visual Effects, Film Production, Interactive Machinima, Motion Capture, 3D Character Production, Digital Cinematography, 3D Character Animation, Programing, Media Arts Production, Directing, Programming, Film Editing, Sound for Film and Digital Media, Film Production, Digital Imaging for Visual Artists, Directing, and Storyboarding/Visual Storytelling.

The EAE BS at University of Utah includes extensive coursework in Computer-Generated Special Effects, 3D Animation, Game Development, Visual Perception, and Graphics. The MEAE has a Technical Arts Track, which allows students to Specialize in VFX. Across courses such as Technical Art I-IV, Advanced 3D Character Production, 3D Modeling, and Serious Games, students will use programmable GPU shaders to customize the graphics pipeline producing various visual effects; master shading language fundamentals and GPU primitive operations; and work in teams to pitch, prototype, and present VFX-rich games.

Across programs, students will create a variety of games, animations, films, and other projects that demonstrate their VFX skills. Upon completion of the programs, students will have a demo reel and/or portfolio of their best work.

Graduates of the Film Programs at University of Utah are prepared for careers such as VFX Artist, Visual Effects Animator, Film Editor, VFX Editor, Production Manager (VFX), Computer Animator, Digital Filmmaker, and Production Coordinator (VFX).

Graduates of the EAE Programs at University of Utah are prepared for careers such as VFX Artist, Animation VFX Artist, VFX Editor, Production Coordinator (VFX), Video Game FX Artist, and 3D Animator.

Founded in 1850, University of Utah is the state’s public flagship institution. A top-tier research university, The U serves more than 34,900 students enrolled in over 200 programs across 18 colleges and schools and nearly 100 departments. University of Utah is accredited by the Northwest Commission on Colleges and Universities (NWCCU).

Antoinette Westphal College of Arts & Design (Westphal or Westphal College of Art & Design) provides studio-based programs leading to undergraduate and graduate degrees. All Westphal students participate in the Drexel Cooperative Education (Co-op) Program, where they have the opportunity to gain professional experience at a variety of companies, organizations, and studios. Examples include Cartoon Network, Sony Studios, FuseFX, Mediakraft TV, and 3FX Medical Animations.

Drexel University has been a cooperative educational institution since 1919. Serving more than 2,000 students, Drexel’s Westphal College of Arts & Design is accredited by the National Association of Schools of Art and Design (NASAD).

Within the Westphal College is an Animation & Visual Effects (VFX) BS Program that consists of 187 units of study. An accelerated Animation & VFX BS/Digital Media MS is available as well as an Animation & VFX Minor. The accelerated program can be completed in just five years.

Consisting of eight courses, the Minor is open to both undergraduate and graduate students in any discipline. Course examples include Digital Imaging for Animation & VFX, Scripting for Animation and Visual Effects, and Realtime Visualization.

The Animation & VFX BS Program is housed in Westphal’s URBN Center. Designed for collaboration across programs, the Center consist of shared making spaces and state-of-the-art studios and labs. This includes the Animation Capture & Effects Lab (ACE-Lab), which consists of a 1200-sq-ft digital media studio equipped with the latest digital media technology.

Course examples for the Drexel Animation & VFX Program include Digital Imaging for Programming, Animation & VFX, Digital Compositing, Spatial Data Capture, Scripting for Animation & Visual Effects, Character Animation, Light & Sound, Experimental Animation Lab, Audio Production & Post, Digital Character Creation, and Organic Modeling.

Other Program features include courses taught by professionals in the Entertainment, Technology, and Media industries; the Drexel University Study Abroad Program; and optional participation in Westphal’s Drexel in LA Program. This experiential learning option allows student to spend an entire summer term living and working in Los Angeles, with students in the Film & Television and Screenwriting & Playwriting Programs. Drexel in LA students have held internships at companies such as Riot Games, BBC Worldwide Productions, and ImageMovers.

The Animation & Visual Effects Program at Drexel University culminates with a Capstone Project, which will be presented in a Thesis Exhibition attended by professionals in the industry. Graduates are prepared for careers such as VFX Artist, Visual Effects Supervisor, Technical Director, 3D Modeler, Character Animator, Art Director, and Texture Artist.

Drexel University was established in 1891 as Drexel Institute of Art, Science, & Industry. The school serves approximately 23,215 students enrolled in more than 200 degree programs across 15 colleges and schools. Drexel University is accredited by the Middle States Commission on Higher Education (MSCHE). The Digital Media and Animation & Visual Effects (VFX) Programs at Drexel are accredited by the National Association of Schools of Arts & Design (NASAD).

Chapman University (Chapman) houses the Lawrence and Kristina Dodge College of Film & Media Arts (Dodge College). Within the College is an Animation and Visual Effects (VFX) Program. Students in this Program may focus in VFX or Animation.

Dodge College also has a VFX Minor that can be added to undergraduate programs such as the Film & Television Production BFA, the Creative Producing BFA or the Film & Media Studies BA. The VFX Minor complements graduate programs such as the Film Production MFA and Film and Media Studies MA.

Consisting of 21 credits, the VFX Minor includes courses such as Introduction to Animation and Visual Effects, 3D Computer Graphics, Visual Effects: Fundamental Techniques and Technologies, Advanced Visual Effects Production and Workflow, History and Aesthetics of Animation and Visual Effects, On-Set and Post-Production Visual Effects Supervision, and Advanced Previsualization for Motion Pictures.

Students in the Animation and Visual Effects BFA Program at Chapman University will have opportunities to work with industry software and tools such as Xsens MVN Animate, Autodesk Maya, Adobe Creative Suite, and 3ds Max. BFA students also have access to the Digital Media Arts center (DMAC)—a digital arts studio and lounge inspired by studios such as Disney and Pixar.

Course examples for the Program include Fundamental Graphics I-II for Animation and Visual Effects, Storytelling in Animation and Visual Effects, Production Design for Animation and Visual Effects, Advanced Visual Effects Production and Workflow, On-Set and Post-Production Visual Effects Supervision, Storyboarding and Story Reels, Visual Effects: Fundamental Techniques and Technologies, History and Aesthetics of Animation and Visual Effects, Mechanics of Motion, Audio Techniques, and Advanced Previsualization for Motion Pictures.

All Animation and VFX students at Chapman University are eligible to apply for internships at major studios such as Disney, Blizzard Entertainment, and Blur Studio. Students may also participate in student clubs and organizations such as the Chapman Animation and Visual Effects Club, the Virtual Reality/AR Club, or The Collective. Chapman University also has an active study abroad program that provides opportunities to work in entertainment studios around the world.

Graduates of the Animation and Visual Effects BFA Program at Chapman University are prepared for careers such as Visual Effects Artist, Animator, VFX Supervisor, Technical Director, Compositor, Production Coordinator, 3D Artist, Modeler, Previs Artist, Texture Painter, Matchmove Artist, Computer Graphics (CG) Supervisor, Creature Technical Director, Pipeline Technical Director, Roto Artist, and Compositing Supervisor.

Founded in 1861 as Hesperian College, Chapman University is a business, entertainment, and technology college that serves approximately 10,000 students from just 49 states, two territories, and 82 countries. Chapman offers 200 programs across 11 different schools and colleges. Chapman University is accredited by the WASC Senior College & University Commission (WSCUC).

Columbia College Chicago houses the School of Media Arts, home to the Department of Cinema and Television Arts. Within the Department is a Cinema Visual Effects (CVFX) Concentration that prepares students for direct entry into the field. The CVFX Concentration is one of the eight areas open to Film and Television BFA Majors.

The Program begins with two Foundations courses including Cinema Notebooks and Cinema Image. These courses are taught back-to-back to give students an idea of what it’s like to work on a real production set. Columbia College also produces hundreds of film each year, allowing students to work on set with Film students at all degree levels.

The Cinema Visual Effects Concentration consists of 12 courses including CVFX Foundations, Computer Animation: Visual Effects, Motion Graphics I-II, Cinema Color I-II, Editing I and Editing I Studio, Computer Animation: Keyframing, CVFX Cinematography I, and CVFX Compositing I-II.

Examples of Film and Television course requirements include Cinematic Storytelling, World Cinema I-II, and Cinema and Television Production. BFA students will also complete BFA Studio, BFA Research and Presentation, and the BFA Thesis across two course.

All Film and Television students will have the opportunity to participate in the multidisciplinary Semester in LA Program (SiLA). This program allows students to work, live, and study in Hollywood for an entire semester. SiLA consists of a 15-20 hour a week LA-based internship; intensive week-long workshops in January and the summer; attendance at tapings, tours, and exclusive events; courses held at Sunset Las Palmas Studios; and networking events.

The Film and Television BFA/CVFX Program culminates with the production and completion of a short, festival-quality film. CVFX students will contribute what they’ve learned during this culminating experience.

Graduates of Columbia College Chicago have been recruited by major networks and studios such as Disney, Nickelodeon, Pixar, Warner Bros., DreamWorks Studios, Weta FX, and Cartoon Network.

Columbia College Chicago was established in 1890 as the Columbia School of Oratory. The school serves nearly 6,700 students enrolled in more than 60 undergraduate and graduate degree programs. In addition to programs in creative areas such as communication and writing, media and digital, and music and sound, Columbia offers business management programs. Columbia College Chicago is accredited by the Higher Learning Commission (HLC).

The College of the Arts at University of Florida (UF) is home to the Digital Worlds Institute. Within the Institute is an interdisciplinary BA Program that prepares students for careers in Visual Effects (VFX), Game Design and Development, Animation, Interaction Design, and more. Consisting of 120 credit hours, the Digital Arts & Sciences (BADAS) BA includes 30 credits of electives, which allows students to focus in VFX or other areas that best suit their career goals.

Elective courses may be selected from Experience Design & Production, Animation, and Game Design offerings. Courses related to VFX include Motion Design, Interaction & Usability, Digital Visualization, Game Design and Production, Advanced 2D Digital Animation Techniques, 3D Character Animation, Digital Storytelling, 3D Modeling and Texturing, Game Systems Development, and 2D Digital Animation Techniques.

In addition to 30 elective credits, the BADAS Program provides opportunities to enhance the BA degree through an outside Minor or Concentration. Examples include Art + Technology, Theatre Production. Drawing, Innovation, and Mass Communication Studies.

Other BADAS Program features include project-based learning, high-tech classroom, and collaboration with interdisciplinary teams. All University of Florida students also have the opportunity to complete an internship and/or study abroad for a semester or summer. Graduates of the Digital Worlds Institute at University of Florida are VFX Artists, Technical Animators, Game Designers, UI/UX Designers, Software Developers, Motion Graphics Artists, Modelers, and Texture Artists.

University of Florida was founded in 1858 as Gainesville Academy. When it opened, the Academy has just a few students. Today, UF serves approximately 61,110 students enrolled in more than 300 undergraduate and graduate programs across 16 colleges and schools. The University of Florida is accredited by the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges (SACSCOC).